By Loh Foon Fong

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - There were 265 deaths during Ops Sikap between Sept 13 and 27. And more tragically, only one family offered the deceased's organs for donation.

There are many people waiting for organ donors so they can lead a normal life.

"We could not get donors even though we approached many family members," said Dr Lela Mansor, the chief national organ transplant coordinator and procurement manager.

The common reasons they gave were that they did not know about the wishes of the deceased or that the family could not come to an agreement on the matter.

Dr Lela said it was important for organ donors to inform their family members of their wishes when they pledge to donate their organs.

Meanwhile, patients waiting for donors are in agony.

Tan Geek Koon, 41, a mother of four with a mechanical heart, said she had a stroke in June, a risk from using the mechanical heart.

She was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy in September last year after giving birth to her youngest child.

"I just want to live a normal life and be able to hold my youngest child," said Tan.

Single mother Winnie Chen, 24, cried, saying she hoped every morning for a new heart.

She was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in February last year and was put on the Left Ventricular Assist Device in August last year.

Asked what she would do once she gets a new heart, she said she would enjoy a good shower, which was difficult for her to do currently with her mechanical heart, and take her five-year-old son to the zoo or anywhere he wishes to go.

This year, there were 28 heart donors compared with 26 last year but Dr Lela said most were not suitable for heart transplant.

The National Heart Institute (IJN) heart and lung services clinical director Dr Mohamed Ezani Mohd Taib said there were 11 lung patients and seven heart patients on the waiting list for a transplant.

Four of the lung patients were in bad shape because there was nothing to support the lungs unlike a mechanical heart, he said. Mechanical hearts, too, need to be changed every two years.

Since January last year, the IJN has received 22 donor calls but only 12 heart valves have been retrieved.

--The Star/ANN